• Participatory Budgeting Cleveland (PB CLE) to launch budget recommendations

    Participatory Budgeting Cleveland (PB CLE) to launch budget recommendations by Bruce Checefsky (Plain Press, August 2021)     Town meetings were first established in the earliest New England settlements as a form of direct democracy in which most or all members of a community come together to discuss policies, laws, and budgets for their community. The first town meeting was…



  • If elected mayor, State Senator Sandra Williams promises to rebuild Cleveland

    If elected mayor, State Senator Sandra Williams promises to rebuild Cleveland  by Bruce Checefsky    State Senator Sandra Williams was greeted by supporters as she entered the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections on June 8 where she filed petitions to run for Mayor of Cleveland. She pledged a campaign focused on a new, better Cleveland. Williams, who has held positions in…


  • Election information for voters residing in the 11th Congressional District

    Election information for voters residing in the 11th Congressional District (Plain Press, July 2021)       A special Congressional Primary Election will be held on August 3, 2021 in the 11th Congressional District for the seat that opened up due to the appointment of former Congressional Representative Marcia Fudge to be the United States Secretary of the Department of Housing…


  • Ohio’s 11th Congressional District Primary Election date set for August 3rd

    Ohio’s 11th Congressional District Primary Election date set for August 3rd by Bruce Checefsky Plain Press, June 2021     Ohio’s 11th Congressional District is heavily gerrymandered to favor Democrats. The district is shaped by irregular lines as it snakes south from city of Cleveland and its prosperous eastern suburbs through Summit County and parts Akron and represents more than 700,000…


  • City Club hosts Clevelanders for Public Comment in a forum and a mock public comments session

    City Club hosts Clevelanders for Public Comment in a forum and a mock public comments session by Chuck Hoven (Plain Press, May 2021)      The resident led movement, Clevelanders for Public Comment, now has a majority of Cleveland City Council — nine members — committed to passing legislation written by Near West Side activist Jessica Trivisonno that…


  • Cleveland Mayoral candidates crowd the field

    Cleveland Mayoral candidates crowd the field by Bruce Checefsky (Plain Press, May 2021)      More than a dozen candidates have registered with Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to raise money towards the Cleveland mayoral election scheduled to take place on November 2, 2021, with others expected to announce their candidacy in the coming weeks.      Blaine Griffin announced…


  • Basheer Jones eyeing up mayor’s race

    Basheer Jones eyeing up mayor’s race by Bruce Checefsky (Plain Press, May 2021)    Ward 7 Councilman Basheer Jones was elected in November 2017, representing an area which includes the historic Hough district, as well as the St. Clair-Superior, Midtown and Asia Town neighborhoods. His first order of business once in office was to open a food distribution…


  • Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) launches 25Connects Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project

    Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) launches 25Connects Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project by Bruce Checefsky (Plain Press, April 2021)      During the height of COVID19 pandemic last summer, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) launched 25Connects, a community planning process that aimed to provide the design recommendations and tools to support a future West 25th…


  • What can Cleveland do to be a more welcoming city to low-income families with children?

    What can Cleveland do to be a more welcoming city to low-income families with children? by Chuck Hoven (Plain Press, April 2021)         Cleveland has an opportunity to create a more just society within our borders. A unique time has come when we, with proper planning, can take advantage of federal dollars and address the needs of…